News & Events from the Lafayette Chamber
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Jay Lifson, Executive Director
251 Lafayette Circle, Ste 150, Lafayette, CA
Virtual Office Hours: Monday-Thursday 9am-4pm, Friday 9am-1pm
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Please note: due to vacations there will not be a News & Events email blast on Monday, August 3. Also, our monthly Non Profit & Art Community email blast will be sent mid-late August.
Thank you!
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Statement to the Public Regarding COVID-19 and our Business Community
Like every city in every country in the world, we find ourselves at a “tipping point” where our actions will dictate our future. Change in the road ahead is imminent. How will we face down this pandemic is still ours to decide! Our business community has become a vital part of the fabric of life in Lafayette. Convenience, variety, and a preference to “small business” has made our downtown vibrant and fun. Many of these same merchants who know you by name, support your schools and causes and provide commerce in a local setting are at the brink of losing everything. Their businesses, their homes, their savings are all at stake.
Sound local leadership closed many of our businesses in the spring to stop the spread of COVID-19. And merchants took one for the team when they closed, and then did everything possible to reopen successfully. Our inability to keep this virus under control boils down to misleading information, a sense of invincibility, ignorance and bad behavior. We must do the “right thing” and flatten the curve. The only way to do that is to be more diligent in wearing masks, washing hands, social distance and staying at home when possible.
What is good for our businesses is good for us. Collecting sales tax is so important to the health of our city. Sales tax pays for police services, public works, and many of the other services you have come to expect in Lafayette.
From an editorial published on July 14, 2020 in the Journal of the American Medical Association:
Americans are increasingly adopting the use of cloth face masks to slow the spread of COVID-19, and the latest science may convince even more to do so.
In an editorial published today in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA), CDC reviewed the latest science and affirms that cloth face coverings are a critical tool in the fight against COVID-19 that could reduce the spread of the disease, particularly when used universally within communities. There is increasing evidence that cloth face coverings help prevent people who have COVID-19 from spreading the virus to others.
“We are not defenseless against COVID-19,” said CDC Director Dr. Robert R. Redfield. “Cloth face coverings are one of the most powerful weapons we have to slow and stop the spread of the virus – particularly when used universally within a community setting. All Americans have a responsibility to protect themselves, their families, and their communities.”
From the Contra Costa County Health Department: Requiring Face Coverings, Date of Order: 7/5/2020:
This Order requires that all individuals in Contra Costa County wear face coverings in accordance with guidance issued by the State of California. Subject to the exemptions set forth in the State Face Covering Guidance, including but not limited to exemptions in industry guidance documents issued by the State of California, individuals and businesses in the County must comply with the following local requirements, as applicable:
- Individuals shall wear Face Coverings when less than 6 feet away from any person who is not a member of the individual’s household or living unit.
- Individuals must wear Face Coverings when inside or on the grounds of, or waiting in line to enter, any business.
All businesses must:
- Require their employees, contractors, owners, and volunteers to wear a Face Covering
- Take all reasonable steps to prohibit any member of the public who is not wearing a Face Covering from entering and must not serve that person if those efforts are unsuccessful.
Every business has the right to refuse service, as long as it is not discriminatory. No Mask- No Service.
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One city. One push. We can do this!
Let us be leaders in the fight against the virus. 25,000 people, wearing masks, keeping social distancing, and helping to keep our merchants in business. Stop the spread of rumors. Know the facts. Get Tested!
www.cdc.gov
- WEAR A MASK
- PRACTICE SOCIAL DISTANCING
- STAY AT HOME WHEN POSSIBLE
It’s not complicated, yet it’s imperative. Lafayette, CA has always been a community that gets it! A little sacrifice now means a lot less sacrifice later.
Image Caption:
Follow this detailed guide to safely put on a mask. Every step is crucial for ensuring protection! #WearingisCaring
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Tell Your Story: Task Force to Effect Change and Action in the Area of Racial Equality in Lafayette Town Hall, Thursday, July 30
EMPLOYERS: PLEASE PASS THIS MESSAGE ON TO YOUR EMPLOYEES
To address individual and structural racism in Lafayette, the City would like to hear your story of having experienced or witnessed racism or discrimination in Lafayette. These stories are being collected as part of a Town Hall to be held on Thursday, July 30, at 6:00 p.m.
This effort is under the auspices of the City Council’s Task Force to Effect Change and Action in the Area of Racial Equality in Lafayette, chaired by Vice Mayor Susan Candell, who, along with Councilmembers Cam Burks and Teresa Gerringer, have already heard from dozens of community members concerned about racial injustice in our city.
If you would like to share your experiences – which you can do anonymously – ahead of the July 30 Town Hall, please complete the
“Tell Your Story” form here.
The stories will be shared with the Task Force and may be shared at the Town Hall, July 30, at 6:00 p.m., and all are encouraged to participate on Zoom by following
this link.
and, if prompted, use Password 270954.
Or join by phone at +1 646 558 8656 or +1 669 900 9128 or +1 253 215 8782 or +1 301 715 8592 or +1 312 626 6799 or +1 346 248 7799 (Webinar ID: 829 4903 7614, Password: 270954).
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Lafayette Business Assistance Local Business Statistics
As of Wednesday, July 22, 2020
- Eighty-eight (88) local small businesses have registered with the LBA.
- Ten (10) are local non-profit organizations:
- Friends of the Lafayette Library and Learning Center
- Lafayette Chamber of Commerce
- Lafayette Library and Learning Center Foundation (LLLCF)
- Lafayette Historical Society
- Lafayette Partners in Education
- Lafayette United Methodist Church
- Lamorinda Arts Council
- The Park Theater Trust (TPTT)
- Peter Pan Foundation
- Sun Valley Pool Association
- These 88 small community businesses reflect over 460 employees and independent contractors within the Lafayette community.
- A Total of $1,555,600 in federal funding has been confirmed to date across thirty-two (32) small businesses.
SBA Payroll Protection Program (PPP):
- The final deadline to apply for the PPP is 8/8/2020.
- This extension, combined with the Flexibility Act has allowed us to connect with several more Lafayette business who are now interested in PPP relief funding.
- As a reminder, the House gave final last-minute congressional approval last Wednesday to extend the PPP hours after the deadline for applications lapsed.
- There is approximately $130 billion still available.
- The SBA continues to release detailed loan-level data for PPP loans as they are approved.
- Loans above $150,000 have their loan level data displayed, including business names, addresses, NAICS codes, zip codes, business type, demographic data, non-profit information, name of lender, jobs supported, and loan amount ranges.
- These categories account for nearly 75 percent of the loan dollars approved.
- For all loans below $150,000, the SBA releases all of the above information except for business names and addresses.
- Lafayette specific information:
- 822 total PPP loans have been approved for Lafayette businesses.
- 718 of which are loans below $150,000.
SBA Emergency Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL):
- The EIDL application has been reopened to all business industry types.
- Small businesses may apply for SBA Loans with a maximum of $150,000.
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Update on getting Haircuts and other Personal Care Services Outdoors
New state guidance clarifies what services you can get outdoors.
Hair services
are allowed, as are services for skin care, nails, and massage.
Other services
which require a hygienic environment (tattooing, electrolysis, piercing) cannot be performed outdoors. Read more in
Industry Guidance
.
The guidelines for outdoor hair salons and barbershops include:
- Employees and customers have to wear masks the entire time
- Create an outdoor reception area where guests can check in
- No handshakes, hugs or similar greetings
Nail salons can offer manicures and pedicures outside. Other services like massages, body waxing and threading are also now allowed outdoors.
Those personal care services have to follow the above guidelines, as well as:
- Workers should wear a face shield with a face covering when doing services on the face/neck that don’t allow clients to wear a mask
- Disposable gloves should be worn during the entire service
- Use single-use applicators instead of reusable ones (where necessary)
- Ask manicure clients to use hand sanitizer first
- Allow only one manicurist to work at a single station
- Offer color palettes instead of nail polish color displays
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Welcome New Member!
Last week we welcomed the following new member!
970 Dewing Avenue Suite 301
Pat Hart, 925-283-5500
General and Cosmetic Dermatology
Categories: Health Care / Wellness, Skin Care Services / Products
Welcome New Friends
Matt & Leslie Pease
Jesse & Theresa Wellen
Barbara & Tom Gilmore
Thank you to our Renewing Members
The following members renewed their membership July 20 through July 23 - thank you!
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Member Shout-Out: Real Estate Services
Compass
- 201 Lafayette Circle, Suite 100
Compass
-
2 Theatre Square, Suite 215, Orinda
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Lafayette Art & Wine Festival: Let’s celebrate our 25th Anniversary in 2021!
In light of the growing new cases of COVID-19 in the Bay Area the Lafayette Chamber Board of Directors has decided, in the interest of everyone’s health and safety, to cancel this year’s Art & Wine Festival scheduled for September 26-27.
Some of you might be wondering why we waited so long to announce what now seems obvious? First, we were holding out for the miracle that just did not come in time. Losing an event like Lafayette’s annual “end of the summer party” is a tough blow to the community, the businesses, the artists and our guests that often total more than 80,000. We have all sacrificed and suffered enough. Cancelling the festival is last thing we wanted to do! We love this event as much as you. The revenue generated helps pay for our valued community services (like Trick or Treat Street and our Rock the Plaza Concert Series) and has donated well over $500K to the non-profit beneficiaries we support including our schools.
On behalf of the Lafayette Chamber of Commerce and
Eckerstrom Productions
(who has partnered with us since the very first festival in 1996) we wish to thank you for your support and participation in this annual event. We are sorry for any problems this may create for everyone involved. Please stay safe.
We’ll be back for the 25
th
Annual Lafayette Art & Wine Festival on the weekend of September 18-19, 2021. For the most up-to-date info, connect with us:
Sincerely,
Jay Lifson, Executive Director, Lafayette Chamber of Commerce
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Lafayette Young Professionals 1st Happy Hour
Wed, July 29, 2020, 5:30pm-8pm
Come join the Lafayette Young Professional Group for their first Online Virtual Happy Hour!
If you are a young professional, whether you own your own business or a hard working professional looking for a place where you can meet, network and get support from other local young professionals...look no further!
We are excited about our first virtual Happy Hour to grow our group, discuss the mission and goals for young professionals and get to know you a little bit better!
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Breakfast with your Assemblymember
Friday, July 31, 8am, Zoom
Assemblymember Rebecca Bauer-Kahan has represented the 16
th Assembly District - which includes the East Bay communities of Lamorinda, Walnut Creek, and the Tri-Valley – since 2018. Prior to serving in the Assembly, she worked as a law professor and environmental attorney. In Sacramento, the Assemblymember works to represent the values of AD 16, advocating for education funding, environmental protection, fiscal responsibility, and more. She serves on five committees including Appropriations, Environmental Safety and Toxic Materials, Privacy and Consumer Protection, Public Safety, and Banking and Finance. She lives in Orinda with her husband and three school-age children. Assemblymember Bauer-Kahan looks forward to providing a legislative update and answering your questions at the Lafayette Chamber’s virtual “Breakfast with your Assemblymember” event.
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The Lafayette Chamber is providing COVID-19 business and community resources through a number of channels. Please visit the following for further information:
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VISIT OUR SOCIAL CHANNELS
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Experienced Business Professionals Help You Succeed
East Bay SCORE offers FREE business mentoring, low-cost or no-cost business training, and numerous templates and tools to help you start or grow a business. They also provide mentoring about how to address the economic impact of the coronavirus.
Check the "Upcoming Workshops/Seminars" link frequently to see what workshops and seminars are on the calendar!
Finding Customers / Marketing Your Idea, August 12, 2020, 8:30am
Search Marketing: They Are Looking For You! August 18, 2020, 1:00pm
How to Write a Compelling Business Plan, August 19, 2020, 12:00pm
Business Accounting, August 20, 2020, 9:30am
Finding Customers / Marketing Your Idea, September 16, 2020, 8:30am
How to Stay Visible and Relevant in Troubled Times, September 24, 2020, 10:00am
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Last Week!!! Free Parking to Continue Through July in Lafayette
We are happy to announce that Park Smart and the City of Lafayette have coordinated together with Lafayette property owners to continue to offer complimentary parking at private meters in downtown Lafayette during the month of July. City meters will also continue to be free through July. Please take advantage of this free parking and support our business community during these challenging times.
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BACK TO BUSINESS Helping to define the "New Norm" presented by the Walnut Creek Chamber "BART During the Pandemic"
Tuesday, July 28, a9m-10am
With guest: Robert "Bob" Powers, General Manager, BART
Bob Powers, General Manager, BART, will update us on how BART is navigating through the pandemic in the face of a dramatic downturn in ridership and what they predict for the future of the system. And, as commuters slowly return to work, concerns about safety and risks about riding the trains are on everyone's mind. How risky is my BART ride? Will ridership rebound or continue to slump? Questions can be asked via the Zoom Chat Feature or submitted in advance by emailing
wcchamberca@gmail.com.
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Free Virtual Event: Client Success Summit
Tuesday, July 28
Do you want to learn how to get more clients for your business? And not just any client, but some clients who pay $1,000+ each month to work with you? With numbers like that, it's no wonder businesses want more clients...but how can YOU get clients? You'll learn how in the Client Success Summit.
Coach Holly Jean Jackson's friend Marc Guberti organized this 1-day virtual summit to provide actionable strategies you can use to attract new clients and grow your business.
In this summit, you will discover a variety of ways to grow your podcast including but not limited to...
• Finding the right clients for your business
• Growing your audience so the clients come to you
• Getting strangers to know, like, and trust you
• Presenting yourself in a way where your ideal prospects will want to do business with you
• Building up your income
Client attraction is one of the most important skills you can learn as a business owner or solopreneur. If you want to generate consistent income through reliable clients, make sure you get your free ticket... Get your free ticket to the
Client Success Summit here.
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July Happy Hour with White Rabbit Business Solutions - Let's Network
Join
White Rabbit Business Solutions on Tuesday, July 28 from 3:00-4:30 for Happy Hour Networking. Feel free to enjoy your favorite cocktail with some great company. Meet some new friends and say hello to those you know. All small business owners and professionals are welcome.
Networking is more important now than ever. It's time to re-engage with the business community, not only promote your business, but to let everyone know you're open. Also, learn how White Rabbit Business Solutions can help grow your business.
Register here>>
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The Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development (GoBiz): CalCompetes Application Announcement & Webinar Schedule
The next California Competes Tax Credit (CCTC) application period starts Monday, July 27, 2020, with $80 million in available tax credits. Businesses interested in applying can register to view a live webinar explaining the application process.
The deadline to submit applications is Monday, August 17, 2020, at 11:59 p.m. (Pacific Time) and the online application website will automatically close once this deadline has passed. The online application can be accessed starting July 27, 2020, at
www.calcompetes.ca.gov
.
Members of the CCTC team are available to provide technical application assistance (
CalCompetes@gobiz.ca.gov
/ 916-322-4051). An application guide, Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs), program regulations, and a downloadable version of the webinar presentation are available
here
.
Complete List of Upcoming Webinars
About California Competes
The California Competes Tax Credit is an income tax credit available to businesses that want to come to California or stay and grow in California. Tax credit agreements are negotiated by GO-Biz and approved by a statutorily created “California Competes Tax Credit Committee,” consisting of the State Treasurer, the Director of the Department of Finance, the Director of GO-Biz, and one appointee each by the Speaker of the Assembly and Senate Committee on Rules.
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NETWORKING WEALTH WEBINAR: Tap into the Hidden Wealth Right Under Your Feet with Mike Hayes
Wednesday, July 29, 12noon
To help business owners better attract clients and customers; I package media marketing together with business networking into Cross-Group Networking and Marketing. With this strategy, I’m attracting and shepherding small business owners from feeling lost to being found offline online and COMBINED.
Register here.
www.NoonWebinarWednesdays.com
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CBD Health Hacks with Ali
Wednesday, July 29, 7pm
Ali Stoddard, from
Green Alley, is inviting you to a free Health Zoom meeting. Ali’s CBD Health Hacks - Arthritis, Anxiety, Diabetes, Weight Issues, Chronic Pain, Covid - What are the Common Links? Food, Vitamin and CBD Strategies to Jumpstart your Health and Fend Off Disease
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San Francisco Business Times presents Moving ahead: Choosing new paths in unchartered times
Tuesday, August 11, 2pm
It’s impossible to ignore the long-lasting effects Covid-19 will have on your business. Small- to mid-sized businesses are working twice as hard to adapt for the rest of 2020 and the unforeseeable future. But you don’t have to do it alone. Understanding the difference between temporary disruptions and fundamental changes is key to planning for what’s next.
In this webinar, you will learn:
Tips on evaluating intelligence for your business vs. noise
What top executives should focus on to plan effectively for the short, middle and long term
How to ensure buy-in from key stakeholders when implementing new strategies
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Student Loan Refinancing Webinar Series
Thursday, August 13, 9am, 12pm or 3pm and Thursday, September 17, 9am, 12pm or 3pm.
MassMutual and commonbond are excited to offer you access to a complimentary webinar series designed to help answer your questions around student loan refinancing, the CARES Act and what steps you can take prior to the ending of the payment pause on September 30. Please use the links below to register for the time that works best for you. You can attend one date or both, please reach out if you have questions.
Thursday, August 13, 9am, 12pm or 3pm:
It’s time! Find out how to make the best of payment pause.
Learn how to best leverage your options to take advantage of the CARES Act and how to set yourself up for success when the payment pause ends.
Select timeslot (please note Zoom registration is in Eastern time):
Thursday, September 17, 9am, 12pm or 3pm:
The CARES Act is ending, are you ready?
Learn what the end of the CARES Act means for student loan borrowers and steps you can take now to be better prepared when repayment starts.
Select timeslot:
On the registration form it will ask you to enter the person who invited you the webinar, enter Lafayette Chamber member and Mass Mutual agent, Gian Panetta.
Subject to state law restriction. Loans are offered through CommonBond Lending, LLC (NMLS #1175900). © 2020 Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company (MassMutual®), Springfield, MA 01111-0001. All rights reserved. www.MassMutual.com. CRN 202206-267499
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From the Lafayette Library and Learning Center
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Give blood. Help save lives. Red Cross Blood Drive
Friday, August 14, 2020 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Right now, the American Red Cross strongly urges healthy, eligible individuals to schedule a blood, platelet or AB Elite plasma donation appointment to help maintain a sufficient blood product supply and avoid any potential shortages. Donating is a safe process and people should not hesitate to give or receive blood or platelets. This Blood drive is sponsored by Senator Steven Glazer and the Lafayette Library and the Learning Center.
To schedule an appointment go to:
www.redcrossblood.org (enter Sponsor Code: senatorglazer) or call 1-800-733-2767.
Our LLLC Foundation team is working remotely. If you need assistance or have questions about Library and community resources, we’ll do our best to help. Email (
information@LLLCF.org
) or phone message (925-283-6513 ext. 102).
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Please note: to signup you will be asked for your birthdate. This information is not stored, it is only used for verify you are over 21 years of age.
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